Individuals who invest their own money, usually at pre-seed and seed, often alone or through angel groups and syndicates.

Professional funds that invest other people's capital in high-growth startups, typically from seed through later rounds.

Investment arms of established companies that back startups for both financial return and strategic fit.

Companies that invest directly to gain access to new technology, markets or partnerships.

Single and multi-family offices managing the wealth of one or more families, with flexible mandates and growing direct-deal appetite.

Individuals with significant investable wealth who invest directly, through advisors or alongside other investors.

Funds that buy significant or controlling stakes in established, often profitable companies.

Lenders that provide loans and structured debt to private companies outside the banking system.

Funds using a wide range of strategies across public and, increasingly, private markets.

Vehicles that invest in other funds to give investors diversified exposure to private markets.

Buyers of existing stakes in private companies and funds, providing liquidity to earlier holders.

Investors who focus on companies in transition, restructuring or financial difficulty.

Long-term investors in energy, transport, digital and social infrastructure assets.

Funds investing in digital assets and the companies building blockchain infrastructure.

Investors who weigh environmental, social and governance outcomes alongside financial return.

Large retirement funds that allocate to private equity, venture and infrastructure, usually through funds.

State-owned investment funds with very long horizons and large allocations to private markets.

University endowments and charitable foundations investing to fund their missions over the long term.